Great clubs to watch the Super Bowl

Football fans catch a game at Champions at Tower Square in downtown Springfield. (The Republican file photo).

Around this time of year, I usually run down a partial list of clubs where fans can watch the Super Bowl.

With my New York Giants long out of the picture, and my second team, the New England Patriots frustratingly eliminated by the hated New York Jets, I’m having trouble mustering up a lot of enthusiasm for this year’s bowl.

But I like football and so I’ll be watching (and rooting for the Packers) somewhere. If you’re looking for a bar to view the game with friends (or enemies) here are a few suggestions. As always, this list is not exhaustive and there are many more venues that will be carrying the game and/or having Super Bowl parties.

Here are some that I know about:

In Northampton, The Toasted Owl has four huge screens as well as a few smaller one’s, and miniature TVs in several booths. The Owl also has a great selection of appetizers. It is sure to be packed, but isn’t that what going out to watch the Super Bowl is all about? Just down the road is a place I watch a lot of games, Paradise City Tavern. There is not a bad seat for viewing its five wide-screen televisions and the venue almost always runs some specials for the big day.

The same goes for Tully O’Reilly’s on Pleasant Street in ‘Hamp: Lots of screens and plenty of pub grub to satisfy any Super Bowl appetite.

Down in Springfield, the Regal Beagle in the Indian Orchard section of the city has been a stalwart Super Bowl site. Champions at Tower Square features a 10-foot screen, 20-inch and 42-inch high definition screens, and lounge-style seating.

The Waterfront in Holyoke is offering a different twist this year by holding a Ladies’ Super Bowl party, which will include a buffet and Men in Motion dancers, all for $10.

Other great places to watch the big game include Rafter’s in Amherst and Maximum Capacity in Chicopee.

Scouting report

Speaking of The Waterfront, the Holyoke club will feature a comedy night on Feb. 4, hosted by Nikki Carr. Performers include Hamburger and Imagine. The $10 ticket price includes a buffet. The Waterfront is at 920 Main St.

If you like the Summit View’s summer concert series, you’ll be glad to know that the venue has decided to hold a winter series as well. The shows kick off on Feb. 4 with the Floyd Patterson Band. The concerts run from 6 to 11 p.m. The Summit View is at 555 Northampton St. in Holyoke.